Off 68 briefs

Los Lonely Boys will appear at Carmel's Sunset Theater, March 5

The Tex-Mex rock group - Los Lonely Boys - hails from San Angelo, Texas and consists of three brothers, guitarist Henry Garza, bassist JoJo Garza, and drummer Ringo Garza, Jr. Their father, Ringo Garza, Sr., also was a member of a band made up of his brothers, the Falcones, who played conjunto music around Texas in the '70s and '80s. After that group broke up, Garza went solo, backed by his three sons before they even reached their teens. The family relocated to Nashville in the 1990s, and gradually the sons emerged as a group separate from their father. They moved back to Texas and, in 2003, their debut album, Los Lonely Boys, was recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales recording studio in Austin with Nelson sitting in. Epic Records picked the album up for major-label distribution in March 2004 and with their hit single, "How Far Is Heaven" the group gained national prominence. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at 831-620-2048 or sunsetcenter.org.

Jay Dunn, photographer and multimedia professional won two national awards

Congratulations to Jay Dunn of The Salinas Californian who has photographed many events for Off 68 during the past several months. Dunn has garnered two prestigious awards from the National Press Photographers Association for two of his special multi-media packages: "Giving Heart" and "Community Alliance for Safety and Peace." His work is available for viewing at thecalifornian.com.

Margaret D'Arrigo-Martin organizes campaign to fight cancer

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Man & Woman of the Year campaign has been given a committed advocate for its activities. Local business person Margaret D'Arrigo-Martin is honoring her mother, Phyllis, and her Boy of the Year, Cooper, who are both cancer survivors.

"As a daughter who's watched a loved one suffer from cancer, and a mom, who can't imagine how difficult it would be to watch your child suffer, I'm asking for your help. Finding better treatments and cures for blood cancers so patients can live better, longer lives is so important. By making a tax-deductible contribution to the campaign, you can help me help families living with cancer," explained D'Arrigo-Martin. The link to participate in the fundraising campaign is: mwoy.org/pages/sj/mont13/mdarrigoma.

Rock & Gem Show returns to Spreckels

The Salinas Valley Rock & Gem Club will present the 66th Annual "Parade of Gems" Show, Saturday, March 9 and Sunday, March 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Spreckels Veterans Hall, 5th and Llano Streets, Spreckels. The Gem and Mineral Show features jewelry, gems, fossils, crystals, minerals, dealers, beads, craft, supplies, demonstrations, member displays, florescent display, youth activities, auction, and a wheel of fortune. The show will also host free hourly drawings, a raffle, and a snack bar. More information at 831-678-0337.

Benefit fundraiser for The National Steinbeck Center Pacific Gardens

The Salinas Valley JACL, the Chinese Association of Salinas, the Filipino Community of Salinas Valley, Inc., and the National Steinbeck Center invite the community to a fundraiser for the future Pacific Gardens site at the National Steinbeck Center. The Pacific Gardens will extend the lobby to a formal and contemplative space. Outdoor exhibits will chronicle local stories and oral histories of the various residents of Salinas who shaped the community. The benefit will be held Saturday, March 9, 6 p.m. at the National Steinbeck Center, One Main Street, Salinas. Cost is $75 per person and includes a evening of Asian foods, local wines, and entertainment. Shinsho Mugen Daiko, a group of contemporary Taiko drummers, will perform. All museum galleries will be open for viewing. For ticket information, call 831-775-4721. All proceeds from the event will benefit the National Steinbeck Center Pacific Gardens project.

Comedian Martin Short to entertain guests at The Boys and Girls Club event

Martin Short will be the comic for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monterey County's 20th annual Comics for Kids Dinner and Auction. The gala will will take place in the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Grand Tasting Tent at the Pebble Beach Equestrian Center, Saturday, March 23. Doors will open at 5:30 pm; valet service is available. It is the clubs' biggest fundraising event of the year and proceeds derived from the event support programs throughout the year.

For more than 43 years, the BGCMC Clubhouses in Seaside and Salinas have provided youth between the ages of 6-18 an after-school safe haven. At the clubhouses, they are mentored to achieve academic success, acquire healthy lifestyles, and develop good character and citizenship. Reservations are $300 per person, and priority seating is available through sponsorships. For more information about the evening, contact: Jennifer Ramras Sardina, advancement associate and event coordinator, 831-394-5171, ext.243, jsardina@bgcmc.org. To make a reservation, visit bgcmc.org.

City animal services department looking for volunteers

The city of Salinas Animal Services department is seeking new volunteers to help run the city's animal shelter. Some of the duties performed by volunteers include walking dogs, cleaning and socializing cats and other small animals, providing clerical assistance, taking photos of adoptable pets and organizing off-site adoption events. Volunteers must be 16 years of age and able to commit to a minimum of 8 hours per month for a 6-month period. Salinas Animal Services takes in lost and stray animals from within the city limits of Salinas and Marina only.

"Volunteers help provide the 'extras' that the shelter animals so desperately need and we appreciate the time they are able to contribute," said Mayor Joe Gunter.

A orientation meeting will be held March 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 144 Hitchcock Rd., South Salinas. Volunteers will learn about the shelter and current volunteer opportunities as well as the basic skills needed to be a volunteer. Sign up is required. For more information, contact SAS at 831-758-7285, email at animalshelter@ci.salinas.ca.us, or visit the website as pictures are updated every hour: SalinasAnimals.com.

More Off 68 photos and information on The Californian's web site

Space in the printed version is limited. Visit the Off 68 portion of thecalifornian.com for more. It's free.